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ESA Medicals & Support group |
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#301 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
Thankyou
So is pip aimed more at those with physical disabilities rather then mental health? For example, if you're really depressed and just lie in bed all day unless someone nags you to get up, get in the shower, get some clothes on and get some food down you, then you need prompting to make a meal, eat, get showered/bathed and dress. Each of those is 2 points, so that's 8 points and standard daily living component. You wouldn't necessarily think of that just from reading the question, although I think it refers to prompting. That's why it's really important to go through the descriptors before you start filling in the form. |
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#302 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 1,648
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Quote:
Thankyou
So is pip aimed more at those with physical disabilities rather then mental health? I have both physical and mental problems so I think I must have got points for both. |
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#303 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Earth
Posts: 6,315
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Quote:
It's both really. Your mental abilities may affect how you cope with personal hygiene, getting up and dressing etc.
I have both physical and mental problems so I think I must have got points for both. its the only one thats appropriate sometimes. There almost needs to be seperate assessments for mental and physical health and then added together. It's incredibly difficult to capture the reality of a condition in the current format. It is however constantly being tweaked by the dwp from feedback from users and assessors, the most recent one being in planning and following a journey. It is still a work in progress unfortunately for those having to use it, but I don't see how any software would be perfect fit for all. I'll just point out here that the descriptors and scores are set by the dwp not atos. Atos is basically a french software company. |
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#304 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 1,648
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Mental health is a difficult one. I have good times and bad times. I wouldn't consciously think about killing myself but there are times where I couldn't care if I lived or died. On one occasion I felt like that and I went to bed Friday evening and didn't get up. My son had tried contacting me and couldn't get an answer, so in the end on Monday he called the police. They got in and found me and an ambulance took me to hospital. I hadn't eaten or drank anything for nearly three days so was very dehydrated and was found to have an infection as well. Luckily after being put on a drip and given anti-biotics I was allowed home. I've no idea why I get like this. I just hope the Paroxetine that I'm on now keeps me in check. I used to be on Citalopram but have no idea why the doctor changed it.
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#305 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Preston
Posts: 306
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Hi,
I just need some quick advice. My mate has recently been successful in getting PIP she suffers badly with severe depression, learning difficulties, panic attacks, anxiety and previous suicide attempts. She has been in a job for a few months and her employees are understanding and helpful with everything. She has to complete a full income and expenditure for a debt which was unexpected, anyhow she is aware her PIP cannot be taken from her and only has around £50-£100 each month left over from her wages once her rent, bills, travel has been taken into consideration. To avoid this been taken as although they shouldn't they might need an explanation what her PIP is been spent on. So far we've got things such as extra food sometimes takeaways and on her bad days she has no motivation to cook, times she has no energy or mental stability to travel into work or travel home so she has to order taxis, buying more expensive foods to make sure she gets proper iron and vitamins such as pre-packed fresh fruit, omega tablets and other remedies to help with her memory and normal body functions… Is there anything else that she has missed to help her? |
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#306 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 1,648
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I'd make sure she over estimated her utility bills and travel costs. Also bump your food bill up a bit as well. Don't forget things like mobile bills, TV licence, hairdresser and clothes. Does she pay any insurance at all or any services like window cleaner, pet bills.
All these little things add up. |
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#307 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Storbritannia
Posts: 28,916
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Quote:
Hi,
I just need some quick advice. My mate has recently been successful in getting PIP she suffers badly with severe depression, learning difficulties, panic attacks, anxiety and previous suicide attempts. She has been in a job for a few months and her employees are understanding and helpful with everything. She has to complete a full income and expenditure for a debt which was unexpected, anyhow she is aware her PIP cannot be taken from her and only has around £50-£100 each month left over from her wages once her rent, bills, travel has been taken into consideration. To avoid this been taken as although they shouldn't they might need an explanation what her PIP is been spent on. So far we've got things such as extra food sometimes takeaways and on her bad days she has no motivation to cook, times she has no energy or mental stability to travel into work or travel home so she has to order taxis, buying more expensive foods to make sure she gets proper iron and vitamins such as pre-packed fresh fruit, omega tablets and other remedies to help with her memory and normal body functions… Is there anything else that she has missed to help her? |
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#308 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sunny old England
Posts: 580
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After being in a huge state of panic since receiving my ATOS assessment appointment, I thought I would update. I had my appointment today, the assessor was really lovely and between him and my husband they managed to calm me down enough to go through the assessment. He was really, really patient with me, he took time to go through each question and if I had previously answered it as part of another question he didn't make me keep going over it, he kept checking I was okay to carry on, he was really sympathetic. At one point I said when I talk to people like you, I think you think I'm not as bad as I am or making it up, he replied I can assure you I don't think you are making anything up and went on to say believe me I wouldn't have coped with everything as long as you have. He got me some water and tissues. Obviously he doesn't make the decision but I had worked myself up into such a state thinking he/they were going to be awful so on that part I'm really relived, but am already getting in a state over the decision!
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#309 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Folkestone
Posts: 1,648
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Glad it went well for you Luckyyem. I was lucky too, the lady who came to my home and assessed me was nice.
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#310 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sunny old England
Posts: 580
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Glad it went well for you Luckyyem. I was lucky too, the lady who came to my home and assessed me was nice.
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#311 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,227
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I claim esa for mental health, after going through the atos assessment early last year, I was put in the support group.
In the past year I've taken up running, going to the gym etc, I've found this helps my recovery. However one of my biggest fears is somebody reporting me, as to them I probably look ok, afterall there's nothing wrong with me physically. Does anyone else fear this? I'm trying my best to try and lead a normal life, but always feel I should be careful about what I do. |
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#312 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Storbritannia
Posts: 28,916
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Quote:
I claim esa for mental health, after going through the atos assessment early last year, I was put in the support group.
In the past year I've taken up running, going to the gym etc, I've found this helps my recovery. However one of my biggest fears is somebody reporting me, as to them I probably look ok Does anyone else fear this? |
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#313 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,441
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Hey guys I went for my ESA Assessment last week and today I have been paid over 3,000 pounds from ESA I haven't received a letter yet saying whether my assessment was successful but does this seem like a backpayment? I started claiming ESA in January 2014 so have been waiting for an assessment for over 18 months?
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#314 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Station Eleven
Posts: 3,472
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When you say you started claiming since Jan 2014 do you mean that is when you first applied for ESA? What has been your source of income since then?
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#315 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,441
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Quote:
When you say you started claiming since Jan 2014 do you mean that is when you first applied for ESA? What has been your source of income since then?
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#316 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Station Eleven
Posts: 3,472
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Okay, so you've been getting at least the lower rate of ESA which is about £100 a week? In that case I can't see where the £3000 would have come from. You only get a backdated payment if you appeal the original decision, for example if they don't award you anything or they put you in the Work Related Activity Group instead of the Support Group. If their recent assessment placed you in the Support Group, which pays slightly more, then you wouldn't get a backdated payment if the assessment wasn't part of an appeal process, as far as I know. Even if they did, £3000 would be way more than you would expect if they were backdating the difference between WRAG and SG payments. You should call them if you haven't yet had a letter.
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#317 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,441
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Quote:
Okay, so you've been getting at least the lower rate of ESA which is about £100 a week? In that case I can't see where the £3000 would have come from. You only get a backdated payment if you appeal the original decision, for example if they don't award you anything or they put you in the Work Related Activity Group instead of the Support Group. If their recent assessment placed you in the Support Group, which pays slightly more, then you wouldn't get a backdated payment if the assessment wasn't part of an appeal process, as far as I know. Even if they did, £3000 would be way more than you would expect if they were backdating the difference between WRAG and SG payments. You should call them if you haven't yet had a letter.
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#318 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Station Eleven
Posts: 3,472
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Quote:
Actually it says on their website that backpayment is from the 14th week of the claim if the assessment is delayed, I can work it out at about 2,500 so not that far away from what I got, as the difference between the basic rate and the support group is 36 pounds plus the 15 pound enhanced disability element, but will obviously call them on Monday, will be putting in a complaint if they have accidently paid me over 3000 pounds
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#319 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,441
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Quote:
Exactly how much have you been getting a week? Because the difference between WRAG and SG payments is not £36. I am in the SG with the enhanced element and I get a total of £125 a week.
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#320 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Station Eleven
Posts: 3,472
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Quote:
I wasn't in any group I was on the basic payment which was 72 pound a week, the difference between the basic payment and the support group is around 36 pounds as the support group is about 109 pound a week
What you've been getting is the Assessment Rate, for 18 months. To be honest that's quite shocking. It's supposed to last 13 weeks! It seems you got lost in the system somehow. Fingers crossed then it looks like they've found in your favour and paid you all that backdated money. If you don't get a letter on Monday give them a call to confirm. I was told over the phone before I got my letter.
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#321 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,441
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Quote:
Ah, there's been a muddle with terminology
What you've been getting is the Assessment Rate, for 18 months. To be honest that's quite shocking. It's supposed to last 13 weeks! It seems you got lost in the system somehow. Fingers crossed then it looks like they've found in your favour and paid you all that backdated money. If you don't get a letter on Monday give them a call to confirm. I was told over the phone before I got my letter.
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#322 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
I wasn't in any group I was on the basic payment which was 72 pound a week, the difference between the basic payment and the support group is around 36 pounds as the support group is about 109 pound a week
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#323 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
Lol that's ok, I was getting confused as well haha, yea will definitely call them on Monday before I start spending the money, had the biggest shock of my life when i checked my bank though. Have never had so much money in my bank haha thanks for your help
![]() If you're not getting DLA or PIP, you might want to have a chat with a benefits adviser to see if it's worth claiming. My general view is that when a client is unwell enough to get in the support group, they're probably entitled to something. If you get the daily living component, and you live alone, you get an extra £61.85 pw added to your ESA as well. |
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#324 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,441
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Quote:
It sounds right to me! You should be getting £51.95 pw extra, backdated to 13 weeks after you first claimed.
If you're not getting DLA or PIP, you might want to have a chat with a benefits adviser to see if it's worth claiming. My general view is that when a client is unwell enough to get in the support group, they're probably entitled to something. If you get the daily living component, and you live alone, you get an extra £61.85 pw added to your ESA as well.
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#325 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sunny old England
Posts: 580
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Hi all just a quick update; I have received a letter this morning to say my PiP has been approved, I have been awarded the higher rate in both areas. My claim was started on 2 June and the letter is dated 11 August, so all in all just over two months. I will get my backdated payment on Tuesday.
I must admit I'm really surprised by the whole process. I would seem to be one of the 'lucky' ones. My claim has been dealt with quickly, the assessor was really nice and I got the outcome I deserve. Admittedly I was really wary about applying, I have - like most other people heard lots of horror stories, I'm glad I bit the bullet and applied now. Thanks to those who offerd me help and advice. Good luck to anyone who's applying or waiting to hear |
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What you've been getting is the Assessment Rate, for 18 months. To be honest that's quite shocking. It's supposed to last 13 weeks! It seems you got lost in the system somehow. Fingers crossed then it looks like they've found in your favour and paid you all that backdated money. If you don't get a letter on Monday give them a call to confirm. I was told over the phone before I got my letter.